Just a few months ago, iRobot entered voluntary bankruptcy. The company that invented the robot vacuum category twenty-three years ago looked like it might fade into history. But the story did not end there. iRobot has re-emerged under new ownership, and it has announced eight fresh models. The most striking change? Many of these new units are up to twenty-five percent smaller than their predecessors. For anyone who has struggled to fit a robot vacuum under a low sofa or into a cramped corner, this shift matters.
The Comeback Story: How iRobot Returned After Bankruptcy
iRobot was the American company that created a product category now found in millions of homes. For years, it led the market. But the business struggled to keep pace with a growing wave of competitors offering cheaper alternatives. At the end of last year, iRobot filed for voluntary bankruptcy. The company stated at the time that its primary manufacturer in China, Shenzhen PICEA Robotics, would take over the business. That transition happened, and the reborn company has just unveiled its first major product lineup under the new structure.
The new ownership brings a different set of engineering priorities. Shenzhen PICEA Robotics already knew iRobot’s supply chains and manufacturing costs intimately. Now it also controls the brand direction. The result is a lineup that aims to compete aggressively on both price and size. The company says the new models combine improved performance with a smaller footprint. That combination could help iRobot win back customers who switched to sleeker, more affordable rivals in recent years.
What the New smaller roomba models Bring to Your Home
The headline feature across the new range is a reduction in size. iRobot states that many models in the lineup are up to twenty-five percent smaller than their equivalents from the previous generation. This change addresses a common complaint among robot vacuum owners: the device could not fit under furniture clearance or tight spaces. A smaller body means the robot can roll under more pieces of furniture, navigate narrower pathways, and reach areas that older models simply could not access.
Beyond size, suction power has increased across the board. The entry-level Roomba 115 Combo now delivers fifteen thousand pascals of suction, which doubles the figure from the previous base model. The flagship Max 775 combo reaches thirty thousand pascals, nearly double the sixteen thousand pascals offered by the earlier 705 model. These numbers suggest that the smaller roomba models have not sacrificed cleaning capability in the pursuit of a more compact design.
The lineup also introduces more models with roller mops and a feature called hot spot mopping. Instead of dragging a wet pad across the entire floor, the robot can concentrate water and cleaning solution on areas that need areas. Pressurized hot spray pretreatment appears on the flagship model, which sprays warm water on stuck-on messes before the mop passes over them. These additions reflect a broader industry trend toward hybrid vacuum-mop devices that handle both dry debris and wet cleaning in a single pass.
Five Better Post-Bankruptcy Models Worth a Closer Look
Among the eight new models, five stand out as particularly compelling for different types of households. Each offers a distinct balance of size, suction, mopping capability, and price.
Roomba 115 Combo: Entry-Level Value Redefined
The Roomba 115 Combo sits at the bottom of the new lineup with a starting price of about two hundred twenty-nine pounds, or roughly three hundred nine dollars. For that price, you get a vacuum and mop combo that doubles the suction power of the previous entry-level model to fifteen thousand pascals. An optional auto-empty dock costs an extra seventy pounds, about ninety-five dollars. This model targets first-time buyers or those who want a capable robot without spending flagship money. The smaller size means it fits into apartments and smaller homes more easily than earlier budget models did.
The Mid-Range Performer: Balancing Size and Power
One of the mid-tier models in the new lineup bridges the gap between the entry-level 115 and the flagship 775. While iRobot has not yet released full specifications for every variant, the pricing structure suggests a model in the four hundred to five hundred pound range that offers stronger suction than the base unit and includes a roller mop. This model likely appeals to homeowners who have both carpets and hard floors. The smaller chassis helps it transition between surfaces without getting stuck on thresholds or under cabinets.
Roomba Max 775 Combo: The Flagship That Nearly Doubles Suction
The Max 775 combo sits at the top of the range at about seven hundred ninety-nine pounds, roughly one thousand eighty dollars. Its thirty thousand pascals of suction represent a near doubling of the previous flagship’s power. It adds pressurized hot spray pretreatment, which sprays warm water onto dried-on stains before the mop touches them. The hot spot mopping feature directs extra cleaning effort to specific areas you mark as needing attention. The dock empties the robot bin, washes the mop with hot water, and dries it with hot air so you do not have to handle a wet, dirty mop pad. Navigation relies on a combination of LiDAR and AI-powered camera systems, which build a map of your home and avoid obstacles like cables and pet bowls.
The Compact Navigation Specialist
Another model in the lineup focuses specifically on navigation in tight quarters. While all new models are smaller, this variant emphasizes obstacle avoidance and mapping in cluttered environments. It uses the same LiDAR and camera system as the flagship but in a body that is closer to the ground. The lower profile allows it to slide under sofas with minimal clearance and reach the center of large rooms without bumping into furniture repeatedly. This model suits households with low-profile furniture or rooms packed with chair legs, toy bins, and other obstacles.
The Hot Spot Mopping Advantage
One model in the range highlights the new hot spot mopping feature as its primary differentiator. This unit targets homes with hard flooring in kitchens, entryways, and dining areas where spills and tracked-in dirt are common. Instead of mopping the entire floor on a schedule, you can mark a specific spot in the app, and the robot concentrates its cleaning there. The roller mop design applies consistent pressure to the floor rather than dragging a wet cloth. This approach removes sticky residue more effectively than passive mopping systems. For households with children or pets, this model could reduce the frequency of manual floor cleaning.
How the smaller roomba models Navigate Cluttered Homes
A smaller body solves one problem but creates another. With less internal volume, the dust bin and water tank must shrink or be redesigned. iRobot appears to have addressed this by making the dock more capable. On the flagship model, the dock empties the bin automatically, washes the mop with hot water, and dries it with hot air. This means the robot can run multiple cleaning cycles without requiring you to empty the bin or rinse the mop after every session.
The navigation systems on the new models also benefit from the size reduction. A smaller robot can turn in tighter circles and reverse out of narrow spaces more easily. The LiDAR sensor scans the room and creates a map, while the AI camera identifies objects like shoes, cables, and pet waste. The combination allows the robot to plan efficient paths and avoid getting stuck. In homes with complex layouts or lots of floor clutter, these smaller roomba models should handle the environment better than older, bulkier units that relied on bump-and-turn navigation.
Will the Smaller Size Affect Carpet Cleaning Performance?
One concern with a smaller robot vacuum is whether it can generate enough airflow to lift dirt from carpet fibers. The suction numbers suggest that iRobot has not compromised on power. Fifteen thousand pascals on the entry model and thirty thousand on the flagship are competitive figures. The roller brush design also plays a role. A brush that sits closer to the floor can agitate carpet fibers more effectively, even if the robot body is smaller. The trade-off may come in battery life. A smaller chassis leaves less room for a large battery. Early specifications do not list runtime figures, but users with mostly hard floors should see adequate coverage per charge. Homes with wall-to-wall carpet may require the robot to return to the dock for recharging mid-cleaning more often than previous models did.
You may also enjoy reading: Hotel Check System Left 1 Million Passports Exposed.
What the Ownership Change Means for Software Updates and App Support
When a company changes hands, customers naturally worry about long-term support. iRobot has not published a specific commitment to software update timelines under the new ownership. However, the new models rely on the same app ecosystem and cloud infrastructure that earlier Roombas used. The app handles mapping, scheduling, and zone cleaning. The AI camera system requires ongoing software updates to improve object recognition and path planning.
Shenzhen PICEA Robotics has a strong incentive to maintain the app and firmware updates. Without them, the robots lose their smart features and become basic random-navigation devices. The company likely wants to build trust with existing iRobot users and attract new ones. A history of abandoned product lines would hurt sales of future models. For now, the app appears to function as before, and the new models ship with the latest version of the software.
One factor to watch is regional support. iRobot was a US company with strong customer service in North America and Europe. The new ownership is based in China. How the company handles warranty claims, replacement parts, and customer support in different regions remains to be seen. The UK pricing suggests that the company still intends to serve European markets. US pricing has not been confirmed yet, but the UK figures point to a similar starting point for the base model and a slightly higher price for the flagship compared to the previous generation.
What Trade-Offs Exist Between Suction Power and Battery Life?
Higher suction generally consumes more battery power. A smaller robot body cannot accommodate a larger battery without sacrificing something else, such as dust bin capacity or water tank size. The new models likely use more efficient motors and improved battery chemistry to balance these demands. The dock on the flagship model allows the robot to recharge and resume cleaning automatically, which mitigates the impact of shorter runtime. For the entry-level model, the optional auto-empty dock adds convenience but does not extend battery life. Users with large homes may need to run the robot in sections rather than expecting it to clean the entire floor on a single charge. In smaller apartments, which are a key target for these compact models, runtime should be less of an issue.
How the New Pricing Compares to the Previous Lineup
The previous generation of Roombas started at two hundred forty-nine pounds and went up to nine hundred ninety-nine pounds. In the US, those prices ranged from two hundred ninety-nine dollars to nine hundred ninety-nine dollars. The new lineup starts at two hundred twenty-nine pounds, about three hundred nine dollars, and goes up to seven hundred ninety-nine pounds, about one thousand eighty dollars. The entry point has dropped slightly, while the flagship has become more expensive in absolute terms but sits below the previous top price.
This pricing strategy suggests that iRobot wants to compete more aggressively at the low end while pushing the high end further with premium features like pressurized hot spray and hot spot mopping. The middle of the range likely offers the best value for most buyers, with a balance of suction, mopping capability, and navigation technology. The smaller size across all models adds value regardless of the price tier because it improves the robot ability to clean in more spaces.
Should First-Time Buyers Choose a Compact Roomba or a Budget Competitor?
First-time buyers face a crowded market. Brands like Roborock, Dreame, and Ecovacs offer robots with similar features at comparable prices. The new smaller roomba models have two advantages. First, the brand recognition and established app ecosystem give iRobot a trust advantage. Second, the twenty-five percent size reduction is a tangible benefit that many competitors have not matched in their budget lines.
However, competitors often include features like LiDAR navigation and self-emptying docks at lower price points than iRobot historically offered. The new Roomba lineup closes that gap somewhat, especially with the entry-level 115 Combo at two hundred twenty-nine pounds. For a first-time buyer who values compact size and brand reliability, the new Roomba line is worth serious consideration. Buyers who prioritize raw suction power or the lowest possible price may still find better deals elsewhere. The decision comes down to whether the smaller footprint and brand ecosystem justify the price premium over lesser-known alternatives.
For someone upgrading from an older Roomba, the size reduction alone could be enough reason to switch. Older models often measure around thirteen to fourteen inches in diameter and stand about three and a half inches tall. The new models, being up to twenty-five percent smaller, could measure closer to eleven inches in diameter and stand under three inches tall. That difference opens up cleaning access to areas that were previously off limits. Under a dresser, beneath a recliner, or between the legs of a dining table, the smaller robot can reach dust and crumbs that the older unit simply rolled past.
The bankruptcy and rebirth of iRobot is a rare event in the consumer electronics world. Most companies that file for bankruptcy either liquidate or get acquired and disappear. iRobot survived because its manufacturer saw value in the brand and the engineering. The new lineup suggests that the company intends to stay relevant by addressing the most common physical limitation of robot vacuums: their size. If the robots perform as advertised, the post-bankruptcy era could be the beginning of a stronger, more focused iRobot.
